We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) recently released new guidelines to improve access to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for families who receive the traditional Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship.
Families who have been determined eligible for traditional Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships are now automatically financially eligible for WIC.
“Both of these programs serve many of the same families, so as a way to improve customer service we made the decision to streamline the eligibility process for families,” said Lacy Little, Montanan WIC program director. “This will make it easier for families to gain access to the nutritional food and support the WIC program provides.”
WIC eligibility requires participants to be pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or have a child younger than five. Household income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level or be already approved for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or a free/reduced school meal program. This change adds the traditional Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship to that list.
The Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program helps Montana families afford quality child care, allowing parents to participate more fully in the workforce. Families earning less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level with children in licensed care, including centers, family homes, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care, are eligible. Families make a co-payment based on income using a sliding fee scale.
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of WIC, and DPHHS and local agencies have been working diligently to connect with eligible families about all the benefits WIC provides, including special food packages, peer counseling, lactation experts, baby food, breastfeeding support and pumps, access to trained staff, and other resources and referrals. “All families need to do is call their local WIC office and schedule an appointment,” Little said. “Local staff are eager to help with the enrollment process.”
WIC in Montana includes 34 local agencies and over 80 clinic sites serving all 56 counties and seven tribal reservations. Almost 13,400 women, infants, and children are enrolled in Montana; however, only 55% of eligible families participate in the program.
To learn more about WIC or find out if you are eligible, go to http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/wic/index.
